Looking at McHenry (Chicago, Des Plaines, Crystal Lake: cul-de-sac, house, transfer)

[pccraig]

There's a strong possibility that I'll be transfering from outside of Illinois to the Chicagoland area and I'm researching communities in Lake County for my family.

Any input on the city of McHenry would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

[domergurl]

McHenry is in McHenry county. It's nice there.

[pccraig]

That's right, McHenry County.

I'm interested in things like quality of the schools, crime, home cost estimates for a SF 4BR home, etc.

Thanks

[JHanksJGR]

I have a sister who lives in McHenry...I spent my highschool years there, and go back to visit every so often..
It's still a nice area, in my opinion...
I still have contacts in the area, email me if you would like me to pass them on to you
jeanie.hanks@jgr.com

[danarchy]

well when i was 14, we used to joke that all the ugly girls lived in mchenry. its alright though. only bummer is its not close to any interstates, so its a B--- for commutes, especially along 120toward lake county. just remember its a large suburban area, so whatever your doing, there is another 327 people doing the exact same thing, raising the exact same family and living in a house right next to yours that looks exactly the same. also they will be commuting with you, sitting in traffic every morning. crystal lake is pretty popular with the yuppies, but woodstock is all mexican now, and might be too far out of your way, i think the rollar rink is still open in mchenry too. bonus.

[MagpiesMagpiesMagpies]

Just checking, are we all talking about the same McHenry? The place I know is a skanky little ville with a few faux-brick big boxes sprouting in the surrounding cornfields. What else can I say about it? It's remote. It's schools suck. It's a place where the Camaro is king. It's as hillbilly as Chicagoland gets.

The surronding areas aren't any better.
Woodstock -- could pass for any town in Oaxaca.
Round Lake -- there's a reason why the homes are so cheap.
Crystal Lake -- there's a lake somewhere admidst the strip malls and cul-de-sacs.
Lake in the Hills -- great if you're into vinyl siding and don't mind your kids bicycling on 70mph throughways.

Magpies

[pccraig]

What about Algonquin ??

[MagpiesMagpiesMagpies]

Originally Posted by pccraig

What about Algonquin ??

Depends. Where to do you need to get to for work? There can be some gnarly traffic, especially near the Fox River. The old part of town is kind of quaint & Victorian but there's a constant stream of traffic. The rest of it is pretty much like Lake in the Hills.

If my McHenry tirade earlier didn't bias you, just for the record I spent a miserable year in that area and couldn't get out fast enough. There are better places to live in the Chicago area, but it all comes down to how & where you need to commute.

Magpies

[pccraig]

My job will be bringing me near Des Plaines.

What first attracted me to Mchenry was the schools.

But Algonquin and Crystal Lake look like they have good schools as well.

[pccraig]

How about Huntley ? Schools, homes, etc.